Pants measuring device



April 26, 1938. R Q BLACH 2,114,990

PANTS MEASURING DEVICE Filed April 2, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1- "I, a II as q 4 l \6 3 H 3 I5 Al L mvENfeR Rmph. B\QCh.

BY I

ATTORNEYS R. C. BLACH PANTS MEASURING DEVICE April 26, 1938.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Filed April 2, 1936 R O T N E V N Ralph C. Black ATTORN 5Y6 Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to a simple and effective means for the assistance of tailors in taking proper measures for pants.

A particular object of my invention is to provide a measuring device of this character which is readily adapted for taking both inseam and outseam measurements so that all requisite measurements for the proper cutting of the pants can be readily and quickly taken.

A further object is to devise an appliance which is comparatively inexpensive, which is capable of embodiment in both floor level and platform appliances, and which carries on the measuring element a reversible member adapted to engage over the sides of the trousers or to be received in the crotch according to the measurement being taken.

My invention further comprises the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts which are hereinafter more particularly described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the appliance taking an outseam measure.

Fig. 4 is a view showing a swivel hook and yoke attachment at the free end of the measuring tape or cord.

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 showing a modification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a platform measuring appliance using a disk scale and cord, instead of the tape.

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views taken respectively on the lines VII-VII and VIII-VIII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 showing the platform appliance in service.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view enlarged through part of the platform, showing the sight opening and the thimble for the cord.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

Referring to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, I show a base of cast metal or pressed sheet metal or any other desired material, which comprises a low platform 10 upon which the customer stands to be measured, which base carries at one side an extension I! which carries integral or fast at its outer end 55 an annular casing l2 having a side door or panel l3 normally held in place to close the chamber by screws M.

The chamber is shaped to receive with a snug lit the barrel l5 of a steel or other tape Hi, the barrel being of the spring retracting type hav- 5 ing a spring controlling plunger I! which is adapted to be retracted by the pressure of the closure !3 against the barrel [5 so that the spring tension is maintained on the tape and the barrel is clamped in position. A guide 18 for the tape, 10 either integral with or suitably attached to the base extension I I, receives the tape from the barrel l5 tangentially at the upper level of the base and conducts it past a sight opening l9 having on its sides, which overhang the marginal edges 15 of the tape, measuring pointers 20 which overhang the scale graduations on the tape. The sight opening I9 is sufliciently long to insure the exposure of one or more of the inch measurement marks. Beyond the sight opening the guide I8 is curved upwardly at 2| through a 90 angle so as to deliver the tape H6 in position to take the outseam measurements vertically when the customer stands in the position indicated by the dotted foot marks 22. It is contemplated that a steel tape be used, slightly convex or fiat and I pivotally secure to its upper end, by a rivet 23, a swivel plate 24 having a hook 25 and opposite the latter a crotch measuring tape may be employed. 30

By reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the pivot 23 for the plate 24 stands about equidistant from the hook and yoke, the distance it is spaced being made equal to the distance by which the length of the tape from the measur- 3 ing pointer 20 to the upper edge of the portion 2| exceeds the vertical distance from said upper end 2| to the correct level for the bottom of the trousers to hang above the platform l0. When the hook 25 therefore is engaged over the side of the trousers 21 and line with the outseam the pointer will indicate on the tape the exact measurement for the outseam of the trousers. The customer by reversing his position can check both outseams to correct any malformation. To 45 take the inseam measure, the customer faces the device with his feet in the position of the dotted foot marks 28 and the hook is swung down on the tape and the yoke 26 is swung up and moved to correct position in the crotch, whereupon the pointers 20 will indicate the correct length for the inseam. Tension being maintained on the spring barrel I5, when the tape is released it will be retracted until its swivel 55 which has an arcuatesight opening 42. subtending several inches of the periphery of the pulley plate 24 engages the guide 2| as a stop, see

Fig.1. r

In Fig. 5 I show a similar arrangement of parts, except that the guide 30, corresponding to l8, rides at an angle of 45 to the base and terminates in a short, angled, delivery neck 3|, there being a suitable web or brace 32 to support the neck 30. The sight opening l9 and pointers 20 will be provided in the upper inclined face of the guide just as they are provided in the guide l8. The extension ll willbe somewhat shortened in this design due to the shape and position of the'guide30 as compared with the guide I8.

In Figs. 6 to 9 I show my invention as-applied to aplatform type of measuring appliance, the platform comprising the marginal sides and a top 36, the latter being braced by internalwebs.

or ribs 3 and also by a rigid cross bearing sup port 38 having in its center the reduced end of a bearingstud 39, the upper reduced end of which cuts through a washer 40 into a socket or aperture in thecenter of the platform which'is thus braced by the shoulder on the bearing stud. A .'disk pulley 4| moves in close relation to the underface V of the top 36 of theplatform which is made as thin as-consistent with the required strengthand disk 4!. Thisexposed face of the pulley disk is provided with an annular scale 43 imprinted or applied thereto in anysuitable mannerand is provided with a pointer opposite a thimble 45 set in the top and through which a tape or cord 45 passes into engagement with the peripheral .groove 4? ofthe pulley disk and passes around same one or more times as may be desired. The cord is made fast to the swivelled plate24, already described, and to the pulley disk. The scale on the dial issetso that when the. plate 24 has its yoke 26 presented in the 'crotch or itshook 25 engaged over the side of the trousers,

a the pointer 44 willstand opposite the correct inseam or outseam measure on the disk. .The

measurements are taken as already described, the

customer standing according to the foot prints 22,

' r foot prints 28 for the inseam measure. a I

7 The pulley has a hub which turns freely about the'pin 35, being supported on'a collar 48 and a coil'spring 49 with its ends made fast to thedis k M and cross support 38 will return the dial to initialposition with its swivel-plate 2 4 in-engage-p ment with the thimble 45. Screws 50 mount the "bearing support 38 demountably in position in the platform. 7 h r All three forms of my invention are susceptible of embodiment in relatively light and inexpensive forms, using any desired type of tape and affording an accurate and convenient means by which glass 5!, see Fig. 10, may be used and also illuminating means may be provided, but as such latter means forms no particular part of my present invention, I have not illustrated same.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, 'it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without;

for trousers, a flexible measuring element, spring meansfor retracting.

said element, means to expose a'scale opposite a measuring point, which scale moves responsive to said flexible measuring element,'and' a swivelv plate at the free end of the, measuring element having inseam and outseam measuring edges equi-distant-from its swivel. 7

2. A device of the character described in claim 1, in. which the swivel plate comprises a hook" forming theoutseam measuring edge, and a yoke forming the inseam measuring edge. e '3. A measuring device 'for trouser seams comrising a platform base, a spring retracted tape,

ahousing therefor, a guide to conduct the tape first laterally and then vertically, the guide being placed in position for measuring thetrouser in-' seam and both outseams of a person standing on the platform, base, and a sight opening adjacent said housing provided with a pointer adapted to indicate by reference to thetape scale the correct length for the seam to the upper end of which the free end of thetape is presented.

4. In a tailors' measure for taking outseam and inseam trouser measurements, a spring retracted flexible measuring tape, a mounting for said tape disposed so a person may stand thereby for all said seam measurements, and a top element on the tape carrying a hook for the outseam and a crotch engaging element for the inseam measures.

RALPH 0. BLACK. 

